Barbarians clash extra special for me - Kaino

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Cape Town - Jerome Kaino says this weekend's match against the
Barbarians is 'extra special' for him as he tries to fight his way back up the
All Blacks pecking order.

Kaino was dropped after the British and Irish Lions series
and hasn't played in the All Blacks' last seven Test matches, a period spanning
15 weeks. The 34-year-old admits it has been the toughest time in his life as a
professional athlete.

"Yeah I'd say so, but the team and coaches have been
great in creating a positive distraction away from that," Kaino said.
"They've been helpful and supportive in that time. I'm still working
through a lot of things but for me it's focusing on footy this week.

"It has been tough but I've been able to deal with that
away from footy and the team. The rugby union has been great throughout that
time. It's going to take a lot of time ... It's an on-going process."

Liam Squire and Vaea Fifita have put their hands up in
Kaino's absence but the 82-Test capped stalwart has remained positive on the
matter.

I didn't think too much of it obviously with a lot of things
outside footy I've been focused on. That natural progression to start thinking
about the future was always going to happen," Kaino said.

"I wouldn't say it's been frustrating but I would've
loved a little more rugby and to be involved more. For me to still be involved
and around the group has been encouraging - just to be able to train and be in
touch that's driven me a lot."

Kaino believes his All Black career is far from over and
says this weekend's fixture holds added significance for him as he tries to
fight his way back in to the first-choice starting XV.

"I still feel I've got a lot of footy left in me. I'm
still driven to work hard every day and fight for a position but also if not
involved, which I haven't been in the last few weeks, I've managed to refocus
my time and energy into preparing the guys that do run out," Kaino said.

"The possibility of being involved this weekend is
extra special for me."

says this weekend's match against the
Barbarians is 'extra special' for him as he tries to fight his way back up the
All Blacks pecking order.

Kaino was dropped after the British and Irish Lions series
and hasn't played in the All Blacks' last seven Test matches, a period spanning
15 weeks. The 34-year-old admits it has been the toughest time in his life as a
professional athlete.

"Yeah I'd say so, but the team and coaches have been
great in creating a positive distraction away from that," Kaino said.
"They've been helpful and supportive in that time. I'm still working
through a lot of things but for me it's focusing on footy this week.

"It has been tough but I've been able to deal with that
away from footy and the team. The rugby union has been great throughout that
time. It's going to take a lot of time ... It's an on-going process."

Liam Squire and Vaea Fifita have put their hands up in
Kaino's absence but the 82-Test capped stalwart has remained positive on the
matter.

I didn't think too much of it obviously with a lot of things
outside footy I've been focused on. That natural progression to start thinking
about the future was always going to happen," Kaino said.

"I wouldn't say it's been frustrating but I would've
loved a little more rugby and to be involved more. For me to still be involved
and around the group has been encouraging - just to be able to train and be in
touch that's driven me a lot."

Kaino believes his All Black career is far from over and
says this weekend's fixture holds added significance for him as he tries to
fight his way back in to the first-choice starting XV.

"I still feel I've got a lot of footy left in me. I'm
still driven to work hard every day and fight for a position but also if not
involved, which I haven't been in the last few weeks, I've managed to refocus
my time and energy into preparing the guys that do run out," Kaino said.

"The possibility of being involved this weekend is
extra special for me."

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